The federal government today approved a new drug that has been found to help people with advanced melanoma, the first such approval in 13 years.

The drug, going by the name "Yervoy," is made by Bristol Meyers Squibb.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, it’s the first therapy proven to extend overall survival for advanced stage melanoma patients. The drug may offer many patients a 2-year survival advantage, with a smaller percentage of patients being "virtually cured," it said.

The state Department of Health in 2007 reported that over a 10-year period beginning in 1994, melanoma incidence in Pennsylvania doubled to 17.1 cases per 100,000 people. The mortality rate, involving later-stage melanoma -- where Yervoy would have helped -- rose slightly to 2.9 per 100,000. The mortality rate here slightly exceeded the national rate, according to that study. too.

My dad was a victim of melanoma 8 years ago. I hope this drug can help people like him. It was too late for him but hopefully not others!!

Posted By: mommylaura26 | Mar 25, 2011 3:46:41 PM

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ABOUT THE WRITERS

TIM DARRAGH has been reporting and editing the news for 30 years, most of it at The Morning Call. For much of that time, he's been doing award-winning investigative and in-depth reporting projects. Tim created the three-year-long Change of Heart project, and wrote a series on the state's fractured food inspection system that led to widespread improvements in food safety. Meantime, that novice jogger you see plodding along the streets around Bethlehem Township? That would be Tim.